It’s hard to think about judo without tournaments!

There are many of them, all around the world. For some judokas, tournaments aren’t really their thing… but for others, tournaments are the reason they stuck with judo — they look forward to them more than anything!

You’re never required to participate in tournaments, but they do offer a great opportunity for judokas to test their skills and improve.

No matter your level, every tournament is a chance to learn.

Taking part in a tournament lets you put into action the techniques you learned in training, gain confidence and experience and compete against judokas from other clubs that you wouldn’t meet otherwise — and often in your own skill level

Tournaments also help you learn to manage pressure and emotions, which is part of growing as a judoka.

And yes — tournaments count in your judo journey, especially if you’re aiming for belt promotions.

Once you reach brown belt, tournament points become essential to get your black belt!

Of course… your first tournament won’t be the Olympic Games!

There are different types of judo tournaments. Let me walk you through them.

Club Tournaments

For many young judokas, their first competitions happen at their own club.

These events are an introduction to competition in a friendly environment, helping both kids and parents understand how tournaments work.

They’re local-level and meant for beginners.

Regional and Provincial Tournaments

These bring together multiple clubs and allow you to qualify for higher-level events.

Some tournaments award provincial ranking points, so they are considered advanced-level, not beginner.

National and International Competitions

This is where you enter the high-performance level.

These competitions are organized by Judo Canada or the IJF (International Judo Federation) and are  even broadcast.

At this level, you’ll find:

Canadian Championships;

Pan American Opens / Grand Prix / Grand Slam;

World Championships;

Olympic Games / Paralympic Games;

And there you have it!